Archive · 2 Oct 2026
ED Says Sen’s Firm Sent Rs 30 Lakh to Mamata
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating money connected to Durga Puja preview shows.
It says a company linked to Indranil Sen sent nearly Rs 30 lakh to Mamata Banerjee.
Sen said the money was a royalty payment.
The ED did not say that Banerjee committed a crime or that this payment itself was illegal.
Investigators also said more than Rs 3.8 crore in cash entered accounts linked to Sen and his company.
The case involves MassArt Society, which sold tickets to preview visits at Durga Puja pandals.
The ED says MassArt falsely used UNESCO’s name and collected money for personal gain.
Sen has denied the allegations.
Trinamool Congress leaders said the ED was using the case for political purposes.
The ED said Octave Records transferred nearly Rs 30 lakh through banking channels to Mamata Banerjee, then West Bengal chief minister.
Indranil Sen told investigators the payment was a royalty, and the ED did not attribute criminality to the transaction or name Banerjee as an accused.
The agency said more than Rs 3.8 crore in cash was deposited into accounts linked to Sen and Octave Records during his ministerial tenure.
The investigation concerns alleged financial irregularities by MassArt Society in ticketed Durga Puja preview shows held across 24 Kolkata pandals.
The ED alleged that more than one lakh tickets were issued in 2023 and 2024, priced from Rs 1,749 to Rs 5,499, while Sen denied the allegations.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate, former minister Indranil Sen, Octave Records, Mamata Banerjee, MassArt Society, and Trinamool Congress representatives are central to the report.
- What
- The ED reported a nearly Rs 30 lakh transfer from Octave Records to Banerjee and alleged wider financial irregularities linked to MassArt’s Durga Puja preview shows.
- When
- The ED issued its allegations on Thursday, October 1; the ticket sales cited occurred in 2023 and 2024, while the underlying FIR concerns alleged activity from 2022 to 2025.
- Where
- The investigation concerns Kolkata, West Bengal, and searches and questioning took place at locations linked to Sen and the ED’s Kolkata office.
- Why
- The ED is investigating allegations that MassArt falsely claimed a UNESCO association, sold preview-show tickets, and diverted or misused the proceeds.
Enforcement Directorate’s allegations
Trinamool Congress criticism
MassArt’s activities
Enforcement Directorate’s allegations
The ED alleged that MassArt falsely claimed a UNESCO association, commercialised Durga Puja viewing, and diverted proceeds for personal gain.
Trinamool Congress criticism
Indranil Sen denied the allegations; Trinamool Congress representatives said the investigation reflected partisan or politically motivated action.
Mention of Mamata Banerjee
Enforcement Directorate’s allegations
The ED identified a nearly Rs 30 lakh transfer to Banerjee as part of its investigation into the movement of funds, while reporting Sen’s royalty explanation and not alleging criminality by Banerjee.
Trinamool Congress criticism
Trinamool Congress MLA Kunal Ghosh called the mention of Banerjee a deliberate ploy, while spokesperson Saket Gokhale accused the ED of selectively targeting opposition politicians.
- Reported transfer
- Nearly Rs 30 lakh moved from Octave Records to Mamata Banerjee through banking channels
- Stated purpose
- Indranil Sen said the payment was royalty
- ED qualification
- The agency did not attribute criminality to the transaction or identify Banerjee as an accused
- Other deposits
- More than Rs 3.8 crore in cash was deposited into accounts linked to Sen and Octave Records
- Ticket volume
- More than one lakh tickets were issued during 2023 and 2024
- Ticket prices
- Tickets cost between Rs 1,749 and Rs 5,499
- Preview locations
- The shows covered 24 Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata
